CSSA February Gathering 2022

Hope  you can join us at the CSSA February Gathering! For those unable to  attend the hall we will still be Live Streaming to the CSSA Members-Only  Group and Zooming (details on how to join can be found below).

Our Guest Speaker this month is Stefan Burger - Two weeks in Mexico

Mexico  is a true gem for cacti and exotic plant lovers. Join us on a trip  across the Chihuahan Desert to the subtropical coniferous forests of  Nuevo Leon.

Stefan Burger is an Australian Environmental Consultant  and works in South America facilitating eco-tourism and researching  cacti, primarily Chilean genera. He has a background in applied  sciences, and has travelled to exotic plant habitats in Chile, Peru,  Argentina, Madagascar, Mexico and the United States. Stefan is well  known on Facebook and Instagram as Cactus Explorer and you can check out  his tours here https://www.cactusexplorer.com

POTM: Columnar Cactus

DUE TO THE EVER CHANGING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK OUR FB EVENTS OR THE CSSA WEBSITE BEFORE ATTENDING THE HALL.

HALL RULES* TO ENSURE WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH CURRENT RESTRICTIONS AND COVID SAFE PRACTICES TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE: 

• Please note that failure to comply with these rules may mean that you  will be denied access to the CSSA Gathering or be asked to leave the  venue.

• This event requires ALL persons aged 18 years or over to be  fully vaccinated (received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine)  unless you have a valid medical exemption from an authorised medical  practitioner (this will be checked at the door by a Covid Monitor). 

•  ALL Members, Guests and Visitors MUST check in via QR Code using the  Service Victoria app (this will be checked at the door by a Covid  Monitor). For those without a smart phone a paper-based check in must be  completed, and evidence of vaccination or valid medical exemption must  be shown. 

• In addition to the QR code sign-in,  Members/Visitors/Guests will also need to sign in with the CSSA, this is  for Society Insurance Purposes and must be completed. 

• As check in  may take some time, please remember to be PATIENT and to show RESPECT,  TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING and KINDNESS to the Volunteers assisting in  this process. 

• Please DO NOT attend if you have any symptoms of  Covid-19 (temperature over 37.5°C, runny nose, cough, aches/pains,  nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or  taste, fever/chills/night sweats, headache, shortness of breath,  fatigue), have tested positive to Covid, have had close contact with  anyone confirmed or suspected of having Covid-19, or have been required  to self-isolate (please refer to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist). 

• Hand sanitiser will be provided, and you are encouraged to use it on entering and before signing in. 

• A face mask must be worn inside the facility by all persons over the age of 8 unless an exception applies. 

• Social distancing of 2.0 metres must be maintained inside the venue. 

• Number of attendees is restricted to 125, we reserve the right to refuse entry should the permitted capacity be reached. 

•  Due to the size of the kitchen facilities and requirements for safe  distancing, Supper will not be provided. Members, Guests and Visitors  wishing to have a hot drink and something to eat at the Supper Break are  asked to provide their own tea/coffee (e.g. thermos) and snack. 

•  Due to venue size and social distancing requirements, table space for  Sellers may be limited, if you are planning to sell, please ensure you  advise the CSSA Secretary (secretary@cssaustralia.org.au) as soon as  possible. 

• *Please note that these rules are subject to change dependent upon Victorian state restrictions at the time of the meeting. 

• The order of proceedings will be as follows (approximate times): 

6.00pm Hall will open to setup the venue (if you can assist with setup this would be appreciated) 

6.45pm Sellers may enter the Hall to set up their sales 

7.00pm Members/Guests/Visitors may enter the Hall 

7.30pm Zoom room opens 

7.45pm Live stream to CSSAustralia Members-only Group starts 

8.00pm Official gathering start 

9.00pm Guest Speaker’s presentation commences

10.00pm Gathering closes (if you can assist with packup this would be appreciated)

FOR THOSE WISHING TO JOIN THE MEETING VIRTUALLY:

>> CSS Australia Members are provided the Zoom details via email and the Members-Only FB Group

>>  If you would like to join the Monthly Gathering Zoom room as a  Guest/Visitor, please send us a PM no later than 24 hours prior to  commencement of the Monthly Gathering.

Guests/Visitors  are welcome to join our Monthly Gatherings either at the hall or via  Zoom for up to three occasions, after this time we ask you to become a  Member. More information about our Membership is available on our  Website (https://cssaustralia.org.au/membership).  Membership costs as little as AU$20 a year, with the membership year  commencing on the 1st March – so there is no better time to join than  now!